Vol. 17 No. 31 - May 6, 2013

Brent Bucker, geneticist and professor of biology, was awarded Educator of the Year for Truman State University at the Accolades of Academics banquet hosted by the Student Government April 11.

Buckner teaches Introductory genetics, molecular genetics, introductory biology, genetics of human disorders, cancer biology and the influence of the gene. Buckner’s research focuses on studying maize genomics, which is the study of gene interactions and their effects on an organism. Buckner has published his research in 19 articles during his near 15 years as a member of Truman’s faculty. 

Bucker has mentored countless students throughout their independent research projects and is a prior recipient of the Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year.

Buckner received his doctorate in botany and master’s in botany from the University of Vermont, and his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven State College.

In addition to Buckner, finalists for the prestigious Educator of the Year award included Robert Matthews, Teresa Heckert, Hena Ahmad and Eric Patterson.

Fredric Shaffer, professor of psychology, was awarded Most Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year at Accolades of Academics.

Shaffer teaches applied psychophysiology, crisis intervention workshop, experimental psychology, physiological psychology and psychopharmacology. Shaffer is currently serving as chair of the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) and co-editor of the Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback, 3rd edition. In addition to his current projects, Shaffer has mentored more than 765 undergraduates during his 37 years as a Truman educator.

Shaffer received his doctorate in personality psychology and his master’s in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University, and his bachelor’s degree from Claremont Men’s College.

Shaffer is a previous recipient of Truman’s Doris and Walker Allen Fellowship for Academic Excellence award.

In addition to Shaffer, finalists for Most Outstanding Research Mentor of the Year included Julia DeLancey and Margaret Edwards.

Truman’s Accounting Department received the Department of the Year Award at Accolades of Academics. The Accounting Department’s faculty includes Alan Davis, Keith Harrison, Darla Honn, Kristen Irwin, Kathy Otero and Cathy Poyner. Retired faculty teaching part-time includes Sandra Fleak, Scott Fouch and Sandy Weber.

The Accounting Department is part of the School of Business AACSB accreditation. In addition, the department is also accredited by the AACSB, one of 178 institutions worldwide holding this designation. The CPA Exam pass rate for alumni of the department has been in the top 25 for schools in the United States for many years. In 2011, the Accounting Department was ranked number four in the nation.

In addition to the Accounting Department, the Theatre Department and Health and Exercise Sciences Department were recognized as finalists for the Accolades of Academics Department of the Year award.


Accolades of Academics is a new, annual banquet hosted by Student Government each spring. Students have to opportunity to nominate candidates for the previously mentioned awards each year at senate.truman.edu.

Bridget Waller presented the results of her undergraduate research in Washington, D.C., on April 24 during the 17th annual Posters on the Hill program sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research.

Waller, a senior biology major, joined 60 undergraduates nationwide in presenting their research to legislators during an evening poster session in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Waller was the only participant from the state of Missouri.


Waller’s research project titled “Impact of Alcohol on Embryonic Development using a Nematode Model Organism” was conducted in the lab of Timothy Walston, assistant professor of biology.

This project contributes to efforts to establish the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for human neural tube defects.

As part of the program, Waller toured the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and attended congressional appointments. Waller met with Sen. Roy Blunt and Rep. Sam Graves, and spoke with staffers in the offices of Sen. Claire McCaskill and Rep. Ann Wagner to promote undergraduate research and support for higher education.

Waller’s participation in the event was sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

A team of health and exercise students placed third in national competition April 26 in Charlotte, N.C., at the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention.

The team, comprised of students Justin Ryckman, McKenzie Tate, Vanessa Shaw and alternate Emma Hosman, participated in the American Association of Health Education Case Study competition and was judged on the ability to utilize the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Certified Health Education Specialists (assess, plan, implement, evaluate, administer, serve as a resource and communicate and advocate for health education) to deal with the Alzheimer’s disease.


Janice Clark, associate professor of health science, is the sponsor for the group. Additionally, Ryckman, Tate, Shaw and Hosman assisted Clark in her presentation, “Is Your Health Curriculum CHES-Aligned?”

These students applied for the positions on the case study team. To finance the trip, they applied for grant funding from MO-PIP, the Student Senate and the Student Public Health Association.

The Annual Academic Honor Awards Assembly, which recognizes outstanding students who have dedicated time, energy and talent to their academic achievement, will take place at 5 p.m. May 10 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. Alumna DeAnn Malone (’93) will be the guest speaker. Malone is an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and the Executive Program Officer for Leadership Programs and Coach Training at the Treasury Executive Institute in Washington, D.C.

Paul L. Gaston, III, Trustees Professor at Kent State University in Ohio, will serve as the May 2013 Commencement speaker.

At Kent State University he teaches graduate seminars in English literature and higher education administration. Gaston is also an influential author and well-known speaker on higher education reform. As one of four authors of “The Degree Qualifications Profile,” published by the Lumina Foundation, he has a key role in defining what academic degrees mean in terms of learning outcomes and has worked with more than 50 colleges and universities in adapting the DQP to their needs.

Gaston’s newest book, “Higher Education Accreditation: How It’s Changing, Why it Must,” will be published in October 2013. His three most recent books are “General Education and Liberal Learning,” “The Challenge of Bologna: What U.S. Higher Education Has to Learn from Europe and Why It Matters That We Learn It,” and “Revising General Education,” with Jerry Gaff.

Gaston earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in English from Southeastern Louisiana University and a master's degree and doctoral degree in English from the University of Virginia.

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 2 p.m. May 11 at Stokes Stadium.

As required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, Truman State University certifies that it has a drug and alcohol abuse prevention program in operation that is accessible to any officer, employee or student.  Pursuant to this program, Truman will distribute to all students, faculty and staff information concerning drug and alcohol abuse and the school’s prevention program.

All of the information included can be found in the Student Handbook.
 
While reviewing the policies mentioned above, please note any questions or comments regarding the Student Handbook. The Handbook will be edited and we are always looking for ways to improve this online publication. Please share your comments with Beth Kral, assistant dean of Student Affairs at bkral@truman.edu.

Looking for a paying job for next year and have a passion for higher education and helping others? Apply on TruPositions to be the BULLDOG College Access Program Intern. This position will work with local high schools and education partners to help make college a reality for the students of Northeast Missouri. All majors and disciplines are welcome to apply. For more information contact Matt in the Admissions Office at 660.785.4114 or mmagruder@truman.edu

All 2013 spring and summer graduates are invited to a free picnic lunch sponsored by the Truman Alumni Association, the Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter and Truman's Office of Advancement.

This year’s annual steam system shut-down for maintenance and inspection is scheduled for May 14-16.  

The steam system will be shut down May 14. Except for buildings with their own boilers*, the campus will be without steam for building heat and hot water throughout the shutdown period.  The steam system should be back on-line by the evening of May 16.

*Buildings with boilers: Barnett Hall, Campbell Apartments, Ryle Hall, Student Recreation Center and West Campus Suites.

The St. Louis, Mid-Missouri and Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapters invite all alumni, students, family and friends to the Cardinals vs. Giants baseball game June 1. Ticket price includes a pre-game reception from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. at Busch Stadium Riverview Corner with complimentary nacho bar and soda or water; cash bar also available. The ticket block for the game is located in the Right Field Pavilion, Section 332, Rows 1-9. Game time is 6:15 p.m.  

Already have tickets for the game? Join us for the pre-game reception. The pre-game reception is FREE for 2013 alumni chapter members or $5 per person for non-chapter members.

Tickets must be purchased by May 23, 2013. Tickets will be mailed to buyer after online purchase made via the Truman Alumni Store (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and electronic check accepted).

   
For more information, contact Denise Smith, director of alumni relations, at dlsmith@truman.edu or 660.785.4174. Purchase tickets online via the Truman Alumni Store at store.truman.edu/alumni/.

The next issue of the Truman Today will be available May 20.

Janice Clark, associate professor of health science, attended the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) national convention in Charlotte, N.C., during the week of April 22-27. While there, she made three presentations and was also a session presider. The presentations were: “Is Your Health Curriculum CHES-Aligned?”; “CHES/MCHES Report, Results and Curricula Alignment”; and “Get the Big Picture: Concept Mapping in Health Education.” Additionally, Clark was the sponsor for the health science students selected to represent Truman in the American Association of Health Education Case Study competition.

Jerrold Hirsch, professor of history, published “Theorizing Regionalism and Folklore From the Left: B.A Botkin, the Oklahoma Years, 1921-1939, in Regionalists on the Left: Radical Voices from the American West.

Daniel Mandell, professor of history, has published “‘Turned Their Minds to Religion’: Oquaga and the First Iroquois Church, 1748-1776,” in Early American Studies.

Rachel Patterman, student president of Truman State University’s Rho Rho Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, received the prestigious Gabriela Mistral Award for her academic achievements in Spanish and her noteworthy leadership and initiative in her chapter. The Gabriela Mistral Award is granted by Sigma Delta Pi’s national Executive Committee and may be presented to only one person per chapter; the honor is reserved for outstanding graduate or undergraduate students of Spanish who are active members of Sigman Delta Pi. For past honorees see sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Premio.Gabriela.Mistral.html.

John Quinn, professor of political science, and Mike Rudy, assistant professor of political science, presented their paper “Hierarchies, Foreign Aid and Conflict Among Major Powers,” at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago April 11-14. Quinn also presented a paper with former colleague Marijke Breuning entitled “Aid, Development, and Foreign Policy Under the Meles Regime.” Quinn also served as discussant at this latter panel.

Three Truman political science majors presented their research at the 21st annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science in Normal, Ill., April 12. Damian Chavez presented his paper entitled “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: An Analysis of the Formulation of the 2009 Stimulus.” Wyatt Hoffman presented and his paper “Cultures of War,” while Robert Markie presented his work “Masters of Misdirection: Diversionary Conflict and Contested Rivals.” Markie won a “Best Paper Award” for his presentation his paper will be published in the journal Critique and he will receive a $200 monetary award. Chavez also served as a discussant for the panel on United States Public Policy, while Markie served as a discussant on the panel U.S. Intergovernmental Relations.

The Truman in Washington Program is looking for any students who will be interning in Washington, D.C., this summer. If you will be in D.C., or know a student who will be, please contact Jay Self, Truman in Washington Program director, at selfjw@truman.edu.